Tourism, Organisations & Operators,

Thailand expects to get 400 billion baht (USD 10.9 billion) from Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs) in the second half of 2022. This is post easing of most Covid-19 restrictions and increase in the number of leisure tourists coming to the destination.About 7.5 million international travellers are expected to travel to tourist hotspots such as Bangkok, Phuket and Koh Samui between July and December, a 1,840 per cent jump from a year earlier, according to Rachada Dhnadirek, a deputy government spokesman. That will propel the full-year arrivals to 10 million, she said.
Thailand, like most tourism-reliant countries, is benefiting from a rebound in global travel demand with authorities scrapping all pandemic-era restrictions that kept visitors out for almost two years. The better-than-expected recovery in tourism has prompted the central bank and other government agencies to raise estimates on arrivals, helping cushion the blow to South-east Asia’s second-biggest economy from multi-year high inflation and slowing exports.
“Government incentives and measures will further accelerate the recovery in the country’s tourism industry,” said Rachada Still, a persisting Covid outbreak, Ukraine-Russia tension and inflation are seen as key obstacles for Thailand’s tourism recovery, she added.
The return of holidaymakers has also fuelled registration of new tourism-related businesses. Almost 550 new businesses sought permission in the first seven months, up 169 per cent from a year earlier, Rachada said, citing the commerce ministry’s data.

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The Los Cabos Tourism Trust (FITURCA) reports a steady pace in the destination’s tourism recovery. June saw a 24 percent increase in the influx of domestic and international passengers to the San Jose del Cabo airport compared to the same period in 2019.The airport received just over 300,000 new visitors who enjoyed the wide range of activities and luxury accommodations that this destination offers.
The positive inertia in visitor arrivals during the first half of the year stems from an outstanding growth of 21.7 percent in domestic tourist arrivals (102,300 passengers) and 25.2 percent in passengers from international flights (198,600). These figures register an approximate increase of 18,300 and 40,000, respectively, compared with the same period in 2019Additionally, during June, the arrival of 8,725 international tourists was recorded through private aviation, which represents an increase of 87 percent compared to 2019.
It is worth noting that, in the accumulated time from January to June, Los Cabos recorded an increase in domestic passenger arrivals of 34 percent compared to 2019, mainly coming from Mexico City (50 percent), Guadalajara (13.5 percent), and Tijuana (19.1 percent). In terms of passengers flying from the United States, an increase of 22 percent was recorded, originating from Los Angeles (23 percent), Dallas (16 percent), and Phoenix (14.7 percent). There was also a positive trend in private flight arrivals, with 81 percent.

“The results achieved during this period derive from three axes that have allowed Los Cabos to maintain this steady pace in its recovery: 1) the continuous attention and follow-up to the implementation of health safety protocols that provide confidence to visitors to enjoy the destination, 2) the constant communication to inform about the vast tourist and service offer we have, and 3) the innovation in the offer of activities and accommodations, which based on current travel trends, positions us as a destination that is attentive and responsive to the needs of the new traveler,” commented Rodrigo Esponda, general director of the Los Cabos Tourism Trust.ADVERTISEMENTRegarding hotel activity, the average rate maintained its growth by standing at $417, $147 more (+54 percent), and a RevPAR of $317; that is, $128 more (+67 percent) over 2019.
Los Cabos has been characterized as a safe destination. According to the most recent exit survey, traveler perception in this matter remains with a favorable rating during June. This yields positive results in the rates of tourists who repeat their visit to the destination and present an increase of 4 percent (43 percent) compared to the same period in 2019.Regarding growth estimates from July to December, Los Cabos maintains its development expectations by scheduling additional airline seats by more than 52 percent for the domestic market, with Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Tijuana as the leading issuers, followed by Monterrey. In the international market, led by the United States, 1.18 million additional seats are expected to be scheduled, an increase of 40.3 percent compared to the same period in 2019.
In sum, with the start of operations of the first direct flight from Madrid to Los Cabos, operated by Iberojet, an increase is also expected in the attraction of Spanish and European visitors. This strategy will allow the development of these markets, for which 4,000 seats have been programmed for the remaining months of the year, thus expanding the destination’s incursion into new markets.
Through the tourism promotion actions led by FITURCA, in collaboration with industry stakeholders and local authorities, the second half of 2022 will be a crucial moment towards achieving this critical objective that will strengthen the positioning of Los Cabos among travelers with high purchasing power, as one of the premier luxury destinations in Mexico.

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Tennessee tourism generated $24.2 billion in domestic and international travel spending in 2021, according to recently released economic impact data from U.S. Travel Association and Tourism Economics. It also marks the largest visitor spending nationally in Tennessee’s history. Travelers in Tennessee spend an estimated $66 million per day. Travel in Tennessee generated $1.9 billion in state and local tax revenue. Travel and tourism is also the third largest employer in the state.Tennessee Governor Bill Lee and Department of Tourist Development Commissioner Mark Ezell highlighted efforts to continue the industry’s strong recovery.“Tourism drives economic development and job creation so that every Tennessean can thrive,” said Gov. Lee. “Our decision to prioritize strong recovery has yielded record levels of tourism growth, and we continue to welcome visitors to see all Tennessee has to offer, from the Mississippi River to the Great Smoky Mountains.”“Tennessee is crushing it with the largest visitor spending national market share for Tennesseans in our history,” said Mark Ezell, Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development. “Tennessee is one of the top travel destinations in the world because of our tremendous assets including our unmatched scenic beauty, diverse cities, and small towns, as well as our world class attractions, music, cultural and historical sites. We’re so grateful to this industry and our partners and blessed visitors come experience these destinations and support local businesses, local restaurants and local lodging and support communities.”Key Highlights from 2021 report:

• Tennessee tourism generated a record $24 billion in domestic travel spending• Travel and tourism is the third largest employer in TN in 2021• Travelers in Tennessee spend an estimated $66 million per day. Visitor spending in Tennessee increased by 44.4%, year over year. Visitor spending nationally increased by 35.7%, year over year• All 95 counties saw an increase in visitor spending over 2020• 51 counties fully recovered and exceeded their 2019 visitor spending record• Nine counties experienced more than 40% growth in year-over-year travel spending, including Davidson, Cheatham, Sevier, Union, Polk, Grundy, Knox, Blount and Hamilton• Five counties experienced more than 40% growth over 2019 travel spending, including: Cheatham, Union, Lake, Hickman and Meigs• Travel in Tennessee generated $1.9 billion in state and local tax revenue in• Travel-generated tax revenue generated by tourism saved each Tennessee household $755.41 in state and local taxes last yearLeisure & Hospitality Industry Highlights• Leisure & hospitality industries supported 317,000 jobs in 2021, an 8% increase• Leisure & hospitality industries supported 317,000 jobs in 2021, an 8% increase from 2020 and 91% of 2019 levelsfrom 2020 and 91% of 2019 levels• Leisure & hospitality revenues have recovered to record levels and outpaced inflation• Leisure & hospitality employment has returned to pre-pandemic levels but still struggles to keep up with travel demand• Average leisure & hospitality wages have surged as the industry competes for a limited number of workers. Leisure & hospitality wages increased to $17.71 in June 2020, compared to $14.14 in 2020.The 2021 Economic Impact on Travel Report includes county data and comprehensive models of the economic impact of spending by industry. Partners and media can utilize the new online interactive dashboard for the latest state and county information. Economic Impact on Travel Report booklets will be handed out at the Governor’s Conference on Hospitality & Tourism Sept. 28-30 in Memphis.The Tennessee Department of Tourist Development works with the Tennessee Tourism Committee, local convention and visitors’ bureaus, chambers of commerce, city and county leaders, tourism attractions and the hospitality industry in all 95 counties to inspire travel to the state.

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Jamaica has come roaring back since the COVID-19 crisis.
The Caribbean island nation’s Tourism Minister, Edmund Bartlett, said at a town hall over the weekend that the country is ahead of schedule in its recovery from the pandemic and is on par with the amount of tourism revenue brought in the last full pre-COVID-19 year of 2019.
Bartlett said that tourism has accounted for $3 billion in spending in Jamaica through August 27, according to the 150-year-old Jamaican newspaper The Gleaner.
In fact, if it continues at that pace for the rest of the year, 2022 will surpass 2019’s entire yearly total of $3.6 billion from the tourism sector.
“I’m able to say to you that tourism, as the industry that drives the economy, now is recovering faster than we anticipated,” Bartlett said. “We projected that we would recover to 2019 level by 2023-2024. We had a mid-year review this weekend and I’m very pleased to tell you that, to date, we have 1.7 million visitors who have come and they’ve spent just a little under $3 billion. In 2019, we earned $3.6 billion full year, and we’ve gone eight months and we’re just at the edge of $3 billion so we’re projecting $4B (for all of 2022).”ADVERTISEMENTJamaica has long been one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Caribbean, but its resurgence has been remarkable. Even the airlines are noticing, as Frontier Airlines recently expanded flights to the island.

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Greece to Set New Record for Tourism in 2022

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Greece will probably break records in terms of tourism revenue this summer, Alpha Bank said on Tuesday.
In its weekly economic developments report, Alpha Bank highlighted that Greece’s tourism revenue this year is expected to reach 20 billion euros, significantly exceeding the amount generated by tourism in 2019 (18.2 billion euros).“2022 will probably emerge, according to the data available so far, as a new record year for Greek tourism,” the bank’s analysts said.
According to Alpha Bank, pent-up demand for travel due to the two-year Covid-19 pandemic and large household savings, accumulated during the period of restrictive measures, have increased spending per trip, which is is expected to lead to:
– Greece’s GDP to continue its strong rise in the second and third quarters of the year and approach levels significantly higher than the average of the European Union (EU-27)– a boost to state coffers, this way allowing the government to offer additional support measures for households and businesses against rising prices due to the energy crisis.
Alpha Bank added that another positive aspect is Greece’s exit from the enhanced surveillance regime on August 20. “This allows for the government to exercise its fiscal policy with more flexibility within the framework of the rules applicable at EU-27 level,” the bank said in its report.ADVERTISEMENT
Some 8 million travelers from abroad visited Greece in the first half of 2022 with travel receipts amounting to 5.1 billion euros. Compared to the January-June 2019 period, this year’s tourism figures were down 15 percent and 5.3 percent respectively. Meanwhile, the average expenditure per trip increased by 12.6 percent compared to the January-July 2019 period.
In addition, passenger traffic to Greece accelerated in July with international arrivals at Greek airports up by around 200 percent during the first seven months of the year, compared to the same period in 2021.
Alpha Bank said that travel receipts during the first half of 2022 boosted state revenue, which amounted to 41.8 billion euros compared to 35.3 billion euros in the same period of 2021, registering an increase of 18.5 percent. The increase of revenues from VAT is also considered significant as it amounted to 8.4 billion euros compared to 6.7 billion euros in the first half of 2021.
“In conclusion, Greek tourism is heading for an excellent year, supporting public revenue, despite inflationary pressures worldwide and the environment of high uncertainty that has emerged following the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the energy crisis,” Alpha Bank noted in its report.
Alpha Bank added that the prospects for the Greek tourism product remain particularly positive.
“This assessment is supported by international trends such as the growth of the middle class in emerging Asian economies (e.g. China, India) and life expectancy which are expected to lead to an increase in tourist flows worldwide, as well as domestic factors, such as the increase in investment activity, particularly through the resources of the Recovery Fund.”
Alpha Bank’s analysts pointed out that the impressive increase in tourist flows brings to the fore the need to readjust the business models of Greece’s tourism sector, aiming for:
– sustainability against the threat of climate change and overtourism, in certain periods of time or destinations, and– ensuring that the quality of the country’s tourism product follows the modern trends (megatrends) with regard to demand.
“In order for the rise of tourism to be maintained and made sustainable in the medium-long term, the new challenges that arise need to be addressed,” Alpha Bank said in the report.

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